Category - Faith

Tried It Tuesday: My Favorite FREE App for Kids

September 15, 2015

Each night in Lape Haven finds my husband and me guiding our little boys through their bedtime routine. Some nights it’s sweet and easy, and some nights it’s a struggle because “I DID brush my teeth” and “I want you to hold me” or “I’m too tired.” (That’s the boys, not Brad and me…usually)

However, no matter how delightful or frustrating the getting-ready-for-bed goes, we always finish the night with Bible reading. We generally have a bedtime story before our Bible time, but we have found that when the boys are not behaving during the getting-ready time, losing their bedtime book can be a rather effective punishment. However, we never take away Bible time.

Since our guys are little, we have various kids’ Bibles and books that we pick from for our nighttime reading, but our absolute favorite way to study the Bible with the boys is doing “Bible Guy” on Mommy’s phone or Daddy’s tablet.

The actual name for the app is The Bible App for Kids, but around here it is affectionately known as “Bible Guy” because when we first started using it, Josiah was just starting to talk. One day he wanted to play on my phone and kept asking for “guy.” It took a second, but I finally realized that he was referencing the icon for The Bible App for Kids, which is a cute cartoon Jesus. I asked him, “Do you want to play the Bible?”

His reply, “Bible guy.”

And there you have it.

The Bible App for Kids is from YouVersion (makers of The Bible App, which is a great regular Bible app to have on your phone or tablet), produced in partnership with OneHope, and is a FREE app of interactive Bible stories, with new stories added regularly. Each story is age-appropriately told without sacrificing the truth of the Word and features narration, touch-activated animations, questions throughout the stories, and special activities and challenges to help children enjoy and remember them.

One of the things I love is that fact that they don’t just tell your cookie-cutter “for kids” Bible stories. While they do include Creation, Noah’s Ark, David & Goliath, Daniel & the Lion’s Den, and Jesus’s birth and death, they cover the whole Bible. Some of the Old Testament stories include Adam & Eve’s first sin, Abraham being asked to sacrifice his son, the plagues in Egypt and Passover, Samson’s disobedience, Elijah’s challenge on Mt. Carmel (my Elijah LOVES that story), and Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. From the New Testament, they have stories about Jesus’s baptism (which sparked the conversation with Elijah that led to his baptism this year); Jesus being tempted in the desert; several of the parables that Jesus told; miracles that He did (including delivering the demoniac); His death, resurrection, and ascension; the coming of the Holy Spirit, Paul’s conversion and travels; and a glimpse into Revelations about Heaven. There is even a story that ties the whole Bible together, showing children God’s plan of salvation for them. And, as I said, they are updating and adding new stories frequently.

The characters and animation are adorable, and my kids love to see what part of the pictures “does something.” The creators of this app clearly love children and have a great imagination and a good sense of humor. My boys are engaged in each story, which means they will remember the truths they are learning. While their site says the app is for children 2-8 years old, my littlest guy loved it when he was even younger, and so do my hubby and I (and we’re slightly older).

This app is also available in many different languages, which I think is awesome. This means that children around the world are learning God’s Word through this app. In fact, one of our missions for the children at our church’s Vacation Bible School this year was raising money to help get this app translated into yet another language. (If you’d like to support OneHope, you can check out their ministry here.)

I should mention that there are NO in-app purchases, and it is not easy for your child to accidentally download something else. Just to rate the app, I had to hold down on the “Rate This App” button for 3 seconds before it would open up an outside link. As a mom who has found random apps on her phone from my child clicking on a button while he’s playing, I appreciate the child-proofing they’ve done with the app while still making it easy for my kids to navigate through it.

The only issue we’ve had with the app is that it used to crash at random times. However, they seemed to have fixed that issue lately, as they’ve brought out updates and new stories.

The Bible App for Kids is easily our favorite FREE app for kids, but I would pay for it in a heartbeat. When something as simple as a phone app can get your child excited about the Bible, spark important conversations about their relationship with God, and help them see His love for the whole world, I’d say it’s worth it.

*Logos and The Bible App for Kids pictures are copyrighted by OneHope and YouVersion. *

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The Lost Heiress – Interview with Roseanna White & GIVEAWAY

September 10, 2015

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This post contains affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I may receive a small commission when you use the links.

After a hectic day of being “Mom,” some days (okay, most days) I just need a nice bedtime story to read myself to sleep, to help my mind calm down instead of going through the to-do list for tomorrow. This means I’m always on the lookout for great new authors to read, especially those writing Christian historical fiction. A few years ago, I saw a post from a friend about Roseanna White’s book, Ring of Secrets, so I checked it out and immediately fell in love with her characters, her stories, and her faith in God, which shines through every book beautifully. I have been reading her books ever since.

When she started sharing glimpses and teasers of her next book, The Lost Heiress, on her blog and pinning character ideas on Pinterest, it seemed as though September 2015 couldn’t get here quickly enough (although I was pretty excited that the book’s release was during my birthday month). When she asked for advanced reader volunteers, I was thrilled to be counted among them.

I watched my mailbox for an entire week, awkwardly meeting our mailman at the gate daily (I probably should have told him that I was expecting mail…), awaiting the moment I’d find The Lost Heiress in an envelope addressed to me.

But not only did I get a chance to read this amazing story before its official release (and it’s sooo good!!!), I also had the wonderful opportunity to talk with Roseanna herself (via Messenger, thus all the smiley emoticons!) about the story and the story behind the story! (Feeling kind of important here!)

*Ahem…time to break out those journalism skills from my years at the newspaper…*

Before I even get into the plot, characters, or events of the book, I have to say that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the history of this particular book. For those who don’t know, can you tell us where (and when) The Lost Heiress was “born”?

Roseanna: I’d love to! When I was 12, I fell in love with English-set historical romances thanks to Lori Wick’s The Hawk and the Jewel. I decided the first week of 7th grade that I was going to write a novel set in England of the 1860s–and that I was going to finish it! It took me a year and a half, but I did. I wrote a full-length novel about a girl named Brook who was raised as a princess, but who through the connections of her best friend Justin–heir to an English duke–discovered that she was actually English and had to go home, only to discover that the same mystery that resulted in tragedy for her parents was set to come after her as well. Twenty years later, almost everything about that story has changed except the two main characters’ first names and that kernel of the premise. 🙂

: Roseanna’s first cover for her original story.

: A later cover for her story.

You shared your early cover designs for this book online, and they made me so happy. I was also an aspiring preteen novelist (not a good one), and I also drew character sketches for my stories (I still have them, but they are so packed away that I couldn’t find them to share for everyone’s amusement today). It’s so fun to know that I wasn’t the only one who did that. 🙂

I had about 4 or 5 stories (none finished) that I can recall off-hand. How many other early “Roseanna Higson” novels were there? Have any or will any others be resurrected for us to enjoy?

Roseanna: Oh my… well, I did plan out this series back then, so The Reluctant Duchess is also a revision of my 13-year-old idea of a sequel. 🙂 And my first published novel, A Stray Drop of Blood, was begun when I was 15. It started its life as a short story, then I wrote the novel during college. I had one other completed novel by the time I graduated high school, but 8 finished manuscripts when I graduated college. And yes, I always drew covers for my early stories! Often many versions, over the years…

That last cover is actually pretty good. Mine always looked more like the first one! Haha. Okay, continuing…

Being a wife and mother of two very active boys, I know how busy life can be just keeping on top of home and family things, so how do you even find time to write a blog, let alone turn out beautifully researched books full of delightful, developed characters, and do all the other jobs you do, too (editing, designing, speaking)?

Roseanna: My canned answer is “I neglect the housekeeping.” Which is true, LOL. But I’ve been writing so long that it was always a steady part of my day, and I quickly learned how to make sure I had writing time, even with small children. My mainstay is getting up early. I’m a morning person, so those quiet early-morning hours are my favorite. And while my youngest also likes to get up early, he knows that he’s not allowed out of bed until 6, and he has to entertain himself until 7:30. 🙂 I homeschool, so we have a nice schedule of the normal day. I write early, do design and editing work after the first part of school, and use evenings to play catch-up with whatever projects are most pressing. But still, without my annual writing retreat that lets me write half a book (almost) in 5 days, some of those deadlines would be very tricky!

It’s always nice to have a reason to NOT do housework!!! 🙂

I have to mention the cover because it is gorgeous! The colors, the model, her dress, her hair. Perfection. Any chance we’ll get a YouTube tutorial on how to fix our hair like the cover model’s? (When we had my son’s turn-of-the-century “Newsie” party, I tried to do an intricate Edwardian hairstyle, but nope. I know why they all needed a lady’s maid.)

Roseanna: Oh, that would be fun! Given that I didn’t do this design, I’m not sure what they might have over at Bethany House, but I’ll see if they ever do that sort of thing!

Oh, yea!!!! 🙂

: Such a gorgeous cover!

: Back cover of The Lost Heiress

: I could have used a lady’s maid to do my hair for my son’s “Newsie” birthday party.

Ok, so on to the revived story of Brook. There are so many great characters in this book: Brook is spunky, smart, and adventurous; Justin and Brice – swoon; Deirdre, who, even when she’s making horrible choices, you’re rooting for her; and Whitby. I loved him. A lot. (I now also want a magnificent black horse, but my hubby is allergic.) Who is your favorite character? And which ones were the most fun to write?

Roseanna: Oh, HARD question! Brook and Justin and Brice have all been there since the original story, so obviously I love them all. Deirdre’s a rewrite of a maid named Liddy from my original–I’d downplayed her in the previous version I pitched to editors, but then upped her role quite a lot in this version, which I loved being able to do! But I think it’s Whitby. He’s a new addition to this latest iteration of the book that I pitched to Bethany House, and now I can’t conceive of how I thought I had a story without him. I mean SERIOUSLY. He made the story in so many ways, and that family aspect I got to put in with Brook being reunited with her father, who had never stopped looking for her…it makes my heart happy. 🙂

Awww. Definitely glad they all got to be a part of the story.

My hubby, who is not a reader, listened as I read him the first chapter (and then later read more of the book on his own), and he enjoyed the story. In his words, “It’s really cool. I could see it being a really good movie.” I think he thought “romantic” and “historical” somehow did not equal “cool.” What?!? (Thanks for proving him wrong.) But following his train of thought, any plans to make this or any of your books into a movie some day? (Due to my stalking, um…I mean, “following” your Pinterest board for this series, you should know that I have been totally imagining Robert Downey, Jr., as Whitby and yes, I think he should play him.)

Roseanna: He totally should. If he would come work for a few bucks and a lot of goodwill… 😉 Actually, my hubby would love-love-love to get into film-making and turn this into a movie. For now, we’re planning on doing a live-action book trailer (like a movie trailer, but for the book) to test out his new toy–I mean, camera. A local historical house is excited to help us out with the interior shots. 🙂 Thus far no Robert Downey Jr. has come out of the woodwork to volunteer to play Whitby…

Another yea!!! A book trailer and maybe a movie!!!

There are plenty of twists and turns to this tale, and if I can ask without giving anything away, what was your inspiration for Brook’s necklace?

Roseanna: I had a necklace when I first came up with this story that I thought was super fun. It was a leather band with 8 wooden beads on it. As I was playing with it one day, I thought, “This looks like it could be old. Maybe I can put it in the story…have it be from her mother.” And so it became a plot point. When I was rewriting the story this final main time, I decided to make it more accurate to the times and situations, so instead of leather and beads, I decided on a gold and pearl necklace. The style is Victorian but was still popular in the Edwardian era. And to make it extra fun, I designed the necklace as I envisioned it and made a couple to give away (and one to keep…you know, for the actress playing Brook in that someday-movie LOL).

Writer, editor, designer, mom, and JEWELRY maker! 🙂 It’s so pretty – You did very well.

If you could convince Monsieur Bisset (The family’s French chef du cuisine in The Lost Heiress) to whip you up something to drink, what would it be? (I’m a tea girl all the way, so a nice pot of Earl Grey would be just fine with me.)

Roseanna: I would definitely choose coffee. I do enjoy tea but not quite as much as I coffee. 🙂 Though I’m not sure I’d like the espresso of 1910…those machines are reported to have left a burnt taste, though it still caught on and became hugely popular. And while Brook takes it black, I’m a sugar-and-cream kind of girl. Or flavored creamer, as the case may be. 😉

Mmm…burnt coffee. Haha. I think I’ll stick with my tea (with a nice drizzle of honey and a splash of milk or cream.) 🙂

Aside from the nicely crafted mystery and romance, what do you want readers to remember most from Brook’s story?

Roseanna: Hmm…I think the underlying theme that emerged for me is that we can’t live in fear. Not of judgment, not of being rejected, not of loss. Loving–be it our family or romance–is worth the risk of loss. And though grief might bring us to our knees, that’s where we find the Lord.

I really loved that part – “But it brought me to my knees—and the Lord was there, through it all, supporting me. The Lord was there, shaping me…”And you answered perfectly to lead into my next question!

Faith in God is always an integral part of each story you write, and I am so pleased that you go beyond just having someone come to the Lord at the end of the book or merely mentioning their church attendance, and do it without being straight-up “preachy.” You write Him with a reality that only comes from personal experience. I know that God has used your words to challenge and encourage me, so how has He used your writing to grow you spiritually?

Roseanna: I have learned so much about faith through my writing! And I have (literally) dozens of unpublished manuscripts that helped in that too. Each time I write a story, I pray that God will show me a new Truth about Him, and what it means to serve Him. And without fail, He does. Writing about situations I certainly haven’t faced forces me to see the world through eyes other than my own. And when I do that, I see God in a whole new light. I just pray I can be a mirror to reflect that Light!

Now that I’ve finished this book, I need to know what happens next in this series. What is the second “Ladies of the Manor” book, The Reluctant Duchess, about?

Roseanna: Brice, now in possession of a rare treasure, heads to the Highlands on holiday. The year before at their lodge, his father had died, so he’s now the Duke of Nottingham, and plotting how to put an end once and for all to all the intrigue surrounding this treasure. But instead of relaxation, he finds a noblewoman in duress. Rowena, heiress to a Highland earl, is desperate to escape Loch Morar and its ghosts–living and dead. A whirlwind wedding makes her a duchess and provides a means of escape…but the more she gets to know her new husband the more she wonders what dangers Brice has invited into his life–and the less sure she is that she has a place in it.

So happy that Brice is our leading man for the second book! I’m sure his “uncanniness” will come in handy on this new adventure!

And how long do I have to wait for it to come out?

Roseanna: April 2016.

I think I can be patient…maybe. Haha! 🙂

It was so much fun to interview Roseanna (Thank you, Roseanna!). Below is a little bit more about her with links to her website and blog. You can also “follow” her on Facebook and Pinterest. 🙂

ABOUT ROSEANNA WHITE:

Roseanna M. White pens her novels beneath her Betsy Ross flag, with her Jane Austen action figure watching over her. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two small children, editing and designing, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of 10 historical novels and novellas, ranging from biblical fiction to American-set romances to her new British series. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to make their way into her novels…to offset her real life, which is blessedly boring. She makes her home in the breathtaking mountains of West Virginia. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com and at Writing Roseanna.

Okay, now for my first ever giveaway!

Life in Lape Haven is proud to offer one happy reader a copy of The Lost Heiress for their very own! You are going to love it! And yes, you’re welcome. 🙂
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for entering! This contest is open to residents of the U.S. only and runs from Thursday, September 10 (12:00 a.m.) through Sunday, September 13, 2015, at 11:59pm EST (I know, specific.). The winner will be notified by email within 48 hours of the contest ending. Winner has 48 hours to respond before another winner is selected. 🙂

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

The Reluctant Duchess: Interview with Roseanna White

A Lady Unrivaled Review

A Review of Roseanna White’s Giver of Wonders

Better than a Fairy Tale

August 29, 2015

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Life in Lape Haven: Better than a Fairy Tale - Mom on the rock

Once upon a time, a 13-year-old girl walked into the high school band room after a football game, searching for her older brother. Little did she know that that night would change her life, for that night she would meet a friend of her brother’s, a guy who was immediately taken with her and would one day be her husband.

At first meeting, however, he did not appear to her to be Prince Charming. She actually considered him more of a frog than a prince, and over the next year or so, that’s how it remained. However, at some point, she softened toward the skinny, shy guy, and they began dating.

By the time she was 16, they both knew that God had brought them together. In fact, at a revival meeting, the pastor called them forward and joined their hands, confirming what they had both already felt. Their lives had intersected, and now their paths would merge into one.

However, all was not well in their kingdom. While this girl loved her prince, she loved her God more and served Him wholeheartedly as she had done since childhood. She began to sense that her prince, while truly loving God, was placing her in the position that could only be filled by the Most High.

With an aching heart, she let him go and broke up with him, so that he might solidify his relationship with God. She knew that she could not trust him with her heart until his was completely God’s.

After a few months of separation, the Holy Spirit brought them back together, stronger and more founded in Him. And yet, their troubles were not over.

Being young as they were, not all were supportive of their plans to marry once the girl graduated high school. Her father was among them. This was probably due in part to the fact that her prince had proclaimed arrogantly that once they married, he intended to be a missionary in Africa and take his bride with him. Thankfully, that was NOT God’s plan for them.

: Jerry at 17 or 18

: Cindy at 16 years old

Despite hardships and heartache, the girl planned her wedding, made her dress and veil, and decorated the church, and God guided them to their wedding day, where the two became one.

Now while most fairy tales would end here, quite prettily tied up with a sparkly bow and declare, “And they all lived happily ever after,” this was not the end of the story for the girl and her prince, but rather the barely-beginning.

The beginning was important, though, because the next few years, and the years after that, and the years following those, would all require the same confidence and trust in God’s plan, the same determination to keep Him as the center of their relationship, the same willingness to be honest with and accountable to each other.

That barely-beginning belonged to my parents, Jerry and Cindy, who are now celebrating 43 years of marriage. Forty-three years that have included better and worse, richer and poorer, and sickness and health, but also always included having, holding, loving, and cherishing. During those forty years, they have lived in five different states (and various cities within those states); worked many jobs; served in ministry in some way pretty much constantly, often ministering together (My father has been in music ministry, a youth minister, a home group leader, an elder, and a pastor, with my mother right there beside him all the way); and raised four children, adored 12 grandchildren (9 grandsons, 1 granddaughter, and 2 granddaughters by marriage), and welcomed one great-granddaughter.

: My parents, my older brother, and me, when I was 3.

: Our family picture from when I was 5 years old. Check out the knee socks!

: Oh, the awkward age…and sweaters.

: Our family has grown! An adopted sister, spouses all around, and babies!

: At my oldest nephew’s wedding in 2012.

: One of our many goofy family pictures (it’s our thing).

: Our family group picture, minus my sister, her oldest son, & his wife. We’ve also celebrated 2 new additions since this, babies Aiden and Rose.

: Mom and Dad with their grandson, Aiden.

: Our family at Thanksgiving 2017 (minus my oldest nephew, his wife, & daughter).

Some might look at their lives and say it has been nowhere near a fairy tale, and they would be right.

Fairy tales aren’t reality. What fairy tale do you know that actually goes beyond the wild, exciting, romantic first year of meeting (and that’s being generous…most fairy tale princesses are married within a few months or even days of meeting their prince) and the big, beautiful, perfect wedding? Do any ever show the actual marriage??? No. Because while married life is wonderful, lovely, and blissful, it is also about self-sacrifice, commitment, hard work, giving, and forgiving. (My mother says, “Without forgiveness, we would not have made it 43 years.”)

And yet, what is truly more beautiful? A story that ends with the couple riding off in a grand carriage, accompanied by rice-throwing mice and ribbon-draping songbirds, but never shows them triumphing through struggle, growing together, or giving more of him/herself daily for their spouse?

Or one that tells it all? Where the couple honeymoons in a fishing cabin with no running water (true story – my mom is a saint!), where they share years of laughter and tears, arguing and making-up, where they experience the joy and frustration of raising a family, and where every day, they rely on God through it all and He comes through every time.

I’ll take the “tell it all” version any day because it’s real. It’s life. And it’s the story I’ve read in my parents throughout all of their “happily ever after.”

Happy anniversary, Mom & Dad! Thank you for living a beautiful example of all God created marriage to be. I love you both!

(Updated August 2018.)

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Honing My Mommy Skills

August 19, 2015

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Life in Lape Haven: Honing My Mommy Skills

On Sunday, I earned a small feather in my “mothering” cap, a little mental badge of “Way to Go, Mommy!” There was a moment Sunday when I was not only surviving, but I was dominating this adventure of parenthood. It felt pretty great.

We were getting ready for church (and not running late, which is another WIN!). I was in the bathroom, finishing my hair and makeup. Brad was checking the diaper bag and helping our boys get their shoes on the right feet.

Suddenly, I heard Josiah half-crying, half-yelling, with a slight edge of panic in his voice.

And I KNEW. I knew with 100 percent certainty what was going on. I knew this cry. Somehow, I just knew exactly what it meant.

“Brad?” I yelled to the kitchen. “Brad, Josiah is stuck in something. What is he stuck in?”

Then I heard Brad, who hadn’t replied to or acknowledged me, ask Josiah, “How did you do that?”

Again, I yelled to the kitchen. “Is he stuck in something?”

Apparently Brad finally heard me over Josiah’s complaints. “Yes. He got his finger stuck.”

I smiled at myself in the mirror, feeling rather impressed with my mother “skills.” I had called it. I knew his “I’m stuck” cry-whimper. It was like leveling-up in my “mommyness”!

When you bring home your newborn baby, you feel like such a “parent” when you finally start to differentiate your baby’s cries for when he’s hungry, tired, or needs changed. You get to know his reactions to everything: you know which toys he loves, what food he’ll eat, what food he’ll throw over the side, and which people will make him cry just by talking to him.

However, lately, I’ve been fine-tuning my “mother’s sixth sense,” that instinct that makes our kids believe that we have eyes in the back of our head, that certain awareness for knowing exactly what your child is doing without having to be right beside him.

I’ve learned the sound of the refrigerator being opened. I know when they’re being TOO quiet (pretty much ANY TIME one or both boys are quiet and not sleeping). I can tell from something in their laughter that they are wrestling and one of them is sitting, standing, or lying on top of the other one (Do you know how often I say, “Get off of him!” in a single day?).

Now, I wish I could say it’s just because I’m awesome that I can tell Josiah’s “I’m stuck” cry-whimper from his “I’m just faking this” cry, but that’s not it.

And it’s not just because I have to, although it does help to prevent certain disasters when I can anticipate or at least catch them doing some things BEFORE they do it.

It’s actually really simple. It’s because I know Josiah. I know Elijah. After spending nearly every single day of their lives with them, including their time in utero, I know my children very, very well.

As I looked at myself in the mirror, feeling excited with my “momtasticness” (I don’t know if that’s a word, but I like it), God dropped a verse in my heart.

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.” (Psalm 34:17)

The Bible tells us that when we call out to God, He will answer us and help us, but I’d never really thought about the fact that, just like other parents, God knows what each of our cries mean. He can tell OUR “I’m stuck” cry-whimper from our “I’m just faking this” cry. (Hmmm…)

He hears, and He delivers us from our troubles.

God knows what we need because He knows us (also because He’s God). And while I’ve only been a mother for a little over 5 years, God has been a Father for quite a bit longer. He’s got this parenting thing perfected. He’s known us from before we were born, before we were even conceived, and He knows not only our past, but God has already written out His plans for our future. (Psalm 139:13-16, Jeremiah 29:11).

So while I felt pretty “parenting level: expert” on Sunday morning, as much as I love my boys, pay attention to their intricacies and quirks, and can anticipate to the second when a meltdown is going to hit, God reminded me that my skills are just a drop in the bucket compared to how capable, equipped, and on-it He is when it comes to caring for His children.

Embracing the Moments of “Mommy Sadness”

August 14, 2015

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Life in Lape Haven: Embracing the Moments of Mom Sadness

He held my hand tightly as we walked into the school. Neither of us knew where anything was or where we were supposed to be, but we were on this adventure together: Kindergarten Open House.

How was it that my little guy was big enough to be preparing for kindergarten? (I still remember clearly when I was in kindergarten!) Sitting beside him at a table in his soon-to-be cafeteria while we waited for the parent meeting to start, I felt my heart squeeze tightly, as though it were trying desperately to hold on to this moment, this second in time.

He still seems so little.

Then he nestled closer to me, laying his head against my arm, making my heart tighten further. I blinked back tears when he smiled sweetly up at me.

I thought about what my sister-in-law had said when I asked my friends and family for advice in facing these weeks of transition, “Remember to try to enjoy the moment in your mommy sadness, too.”

Looking at Elijah’s excited little face, seeing the hints of nervousness in his eyes, in his fidgeting, in the solid grip he had on my arm, and the complete trust overwhelming it all, knowing that Mommy was right there with him, I knew I was in that very moment, the double-edged sword of parenthood.

What other experience in life is as bittersweet as watching this precious child, whom you love more than anything, grow, become independent, and flourish as their own person?

There is so much joy and pride in seeing their discoveries, accomplishments, and individual triumphs, mixed with the heartbreaking awareness of how quickly time is passing and how briefly we get to hold so closely these most beautiful gifts of God.

It’s so hard to stand there, slowly letting go, watching them step out from your constant protection and comfort (even knowing that God is with them), and seeing them face potential disappointment or hurt in a fallen world.

While we often say, “This, too, shall pass,” as encouragement on those long, draining days of temper tantrums, potty training, and our every request being questioned, it’s these moments of “mommy sadness” that remind us that those giggly morning snuggles, that tiny hand clinging to yours, the wide-eyed fascination in simply studying a nighttime sky also fall into the category of “This, too, shall pass.”

So there I sat, my wiggly kindergartener anxious to meet his teacher, see his classroom, find his desk, and meet some other children. He was ready for this next chapter, eager to embrace it.

I knew he wouldn’t understand my “mommy sadness.”

None of us do when we’re the kindergartener (I love you, Mom!).

But as the mommy, I held it close, not to wallow in my own pity party, but to revel in the beauty of such an opportunity to love so soul-wrenchingly deeply.

What a gorgeous glimmer of God, dropped right into our hearts!

The “mommy sadness” is a result of loving my child. And I’m choosing to embrace it. I could tuck it away, brush it off, or distract myself. With two busy boys, a house to clean, dinner to make, and a new book on my Kindle, I have plenty of ways to ignore my heart.

Amazon.com – Read eBooks using the FREE Kindle Reading App on Most Devices

However, I’d rather it challenge and encourage me to cherish each and every minute with my boys, to be present and attentive to truly hear what their little voices are saying, to be quicker to drop housework or outside distractions to play with them, and to love them even more soul-wrenchingly deeply.

Embracing that “mommy sadness” allows me to enjoy the moments more fully because it shows me the true value in that moment.

Today, he held my hand tightly as we walked up to the school. He knew where everything was and exactly where he was supposed to be, and we were ready to embrace this adventure together: Kindergarten.

Update: If you’d like to know how our adventure in Kindergarten was, check out my look back on the year: Trusting God Through Kindergarten.

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When God Says, “Start a Blog”

August 7, 2015

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Life in Lape Haven: When God Says Start a Blog

Obeying when His plan makes you say, “Wait…what?”

I was preparing to upload a picture to Facebook one day last fall, when I realized that I had more to say about the picture than I could really put in a simple caption. That was when God whispered, “Start a blog.”

I immediately thought, “Wait…what? Um, no. That’s not necessary. Besides, I don’t want to blog. I have no idea how all that works, nor do I have the time. And I wouldn’t have anything to write about. I’m a stay-at-home wife and mom. There are plenty of other people blogging about that same thing. So, yeah, that’s not for me.”

But God is persistent. And He knows me. That means He knows that He HAS to be persistent for me to finally get what He’s been telling me all along.

How do I know this? Because He’s done it before. It’s kind of our thing.

For example, when I was a young, single chick, I l lived in an area where there weren’t many available guys my age, which was frustrating for a girl who knew in her heart that God’s plan for her included a husband and a family.

God said (believe it or not), “Join eHarmony.” Seriously.

I immediately thought, “Wait…what? Um, no. That’s not necessary. Besides, I don’t want to. That’s for desperate people. Online dating? No, thank you. What about creepers and all that? Yeah, that’s not for me.”

The whisper never went away…for at least a year. Finally I mentioned it to my mom, and she said, “Oh, I think you should! It could be fun.” I think for her, it was like playing “The Dating Game” or something. She liked seeing who I got matched up with.

However, within a few months, I met my husband. Within a year and a half, we were married.

Do I think online dating is for everyone? No. I didn’t even think it was for me. But God knew.

Did I miss out on time with Brad because I hesitated in signing up? Nope. God’s timing is always perfect. Brad actually hadn’t been checking his account for a while, then one day switched a setting to include a larger area of Ohio, and I popped up.

No, God, again, knew what He was doing. He knew I take a while, sometimes, to accept that what I’m feeling is truly His will. So, He started nudging me right when He needed to.

Even though it wasn’t what I had planned for how I would meet my Prince Charming, God came along and perfectly orchestrated everything. There is no doubt in my mind that it was part of His plan. My husband is everything that I didn’t even know that I needed in a mate. But, as usual, God knew.

So, when I felt God’s leading to start a blog (of all things), I, of course, hesitated at first. However, as the idea settled into my heart, I started doing research. I started trying to come up with a name. I started planning what I could actually write about.

Since God had only given me the directions of “start a blog,” and little else, I was just stepping out slowly in faith that He would give me the answers I needed along the way.

Thankfully, I know I’m not the only person that God leads in this way.

Remember Abraham? God simply said, “Go,” and according to Hebrews 11:8, “He went out, not knowing where he was going.” (As in, without a map or destination.) Did he say, “Wait…what?” I don’t know. Genesis 12 just says that he went. Abraham simply started walking and followed God’s leading to the land God had for him and his descendants.

Remember Gideon? God called him to be a warrior and lead an army when he was hiding from the enemy and believed himself to be the least of the least. He was clearly hesitant and slow to accept God’s plan. Once he did, God whittled away his numbers until there were only a few hundred. Then God decided that the weapons of choice were trumpets, pitchers, and torches. However, despite how confusing that probably felt at points, Gideon still obeyed and was victorious. (Judges 6 & 7)

You could go through the Bible, cover to cover, and find numerous accounts of how God’s plan, ones that usually didn’t make a lot of sense initially, interrupted a person’s life for the better and for His glory.

So, I’m starting a blog. Not because I really wanted to (I’m enjoying it now, though), not because I feel I’m the world’s greatest writer (I do like writing and value grammar, but don’t expect perfection every time because I’m probably typing surrounded by the chaos of my boys playing), not because I know what I’m doing (I’m learning, but it’s still overwhelming at points), and not because I have any grand plans for my blog to change the world or make me famous (Despite my personality, being in the spotlight and vulnerable is not exactly comfortable).

I’m doing it out of obedience to His leading, plain and simple, and with the prayer that God will use it to encourage, challenge, or at least amuse those who actually find it and read it.

I have no idea what God has planned for this blog, but I know He has a definite purpose that maybe only He can see and understand right now.

Hopefully someday I’ll look back at it all, seeing what He’s done, and say, “Wait…what? You did all that?”

Photos courtesy of my father-in-law and pixabay.

Category - Faith

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